CH 39

Chapter 38: The School Festival of Toko High (Part 1)

“Thank you for the food!” (Hiroto)

“You’re welcome. Hiroto, you said you were going to be home late today, right?” (Mari)

“Yes, I did. After going to help with the practice in the morning, I’ll be going to the school festival in Toko High. I’m going to meet up with Ko-chan.” (Hiroto)

“I see. Give Ko-chan my best regards.” (Mari)

“Okay, I’ll be off then.” (Hiroto)

Today was going to be a busy day. After practice, the five of us will go to the school festival. I’ll be meeting with the baseball team from Toko High, so I’ll probably have to go separately from Takuma and the others.

I think Yoichiro will have a hard time…Takuma, Sho, and Tsubasa… I don’t know what will happen when those 3 are together.

When I arrived at Saijo Station and looked around, I found out that although it was Saturday, there were many people who seemed to be invited guests as well as students from Toko High. The school festival must be a lot of fun.

But can I meet Aizawa-san in the crowd and give her the present…?  It’s embarrassing to call her to hand it over…

As I was pondering about what I should do, I arrived at Saijo High.

“Yoshizumi, I’ve been waiting for you. Yoichiro, you come with me as well.” (Manager)

“Good morning, manager. Is something wrong?” (Hiroto)

“Hiroto, I think it’s about tomorrow’s starter.” (Yoichiro)

Yoichiro and I headed for the manager’s office. The members of the club who had practice came earlier than us because they had to change their uniforms.

I was still in uniform because I was going to watch the pitchers. I came late because I didn’t have to change, but it seemed I made them wait.

“Kimura will be the starting pitcher tomorrow.” (Manager)

In the third game, Hayakawa-san, a sophomore, was the starter, and Kimura-san did not pitch because the game was won in just 5 innings.

“Last time I couldn’t get him out because the game ended after five innings, but I’d like to have Kimura pitch tomorrow. Since Yoshizumi is out, I want him to get used to the mound for the tournament.” (manager

Takuma has pitched in practice games but had little experience throwing in tournaments, including his Middle school days.

“I understand. If that’s the case, I’ll focus on Kimura-san and Takuma today. Hayakawa-san, I want you to get ready to pitch.” (Hiroto)

“Hiroto, you can count on me!”. (Hayakawa)

I’d better let Takuma know that he’ll be pitching tomorrow. He’s quite unpredictable, so I’d better make sure he’s ready for it.

“At last, it’s my turn! I won’t give Hiroto his ace number again!” (Takuma)

“Takuma, your number is 8, and you’ve never worn number 1 before. Well, you’re going to be pitching, so just keep that in mind. Hayakawa-san, I’m worried about Takuma, so I’ll be ready to go tomorrow as well.” (Hiroto)

“I understand, Yoshizumi. I’ll be counting on you.” (Hayakawa)

“What! Don’t you guys trust me?” (Takuma)

“Takuma, you’re always making a fuss. Please calm down a little.” (Hiroto)

I watched the three pitchers practice their throws, gave them the advice they needed, and ended today’s practice. In the meantime, I went to talk to the coach.

“Director, I’ll be going to Toko High’s school festival now. The players from their baseball team want to meet me. Is it okay if I ask them about the practice game?” (Hiroto)

“You said that scouts came to recruit you when you were in Middle school. I don’t want them to know our strength, but it’s more important to know what we’ll be dealing with. If you think you can talk to them, please do.” (Manager)

I’ve finished talking to the manager. I just hope the rest goes well. I won’t be able to enjoy the school festival if the task isn’t finished. After that, if the timing is right, I’ll ask Aizawa-san to…

“Hiroto, what are you doing? Let’s go!” 

“I’m on my way.” (Hiroto)

It looks like the four of them had finished changing out of their uniforms and were waiting for me. I should tell Ko-chan that I’m leaving the school now.

“We should go early.” (Sho)

“I’m looking forward to it!” (Tsubasa)

“I heard that Takuma’s class was going to have a takoyaki stall at the festival, but what are Sho and Tsubasa’s classes going to be doing?” (Hiroto)

“Eh? Didn’t Yoichiro tell you? We’re going to do a comedy show!” (Sho)

“We’re going to give an out of body experience!” (Tsubasa)

TLN: I assume that means that they are going to be so funny it’ll make the audience feel like they’ve left their bodies.

“Isn’t that pretty hard?” (Takuma)

“Takuma, you’re so annoying! We’re the only ones that can do it!” (Sho)

“That’s right!” (Tsubasa)

Toko High is located on the other side of Saijo Station and is within walking distance. Yoichiro and I walked together, listening to the three of them, until we came to the front gate of Toko High.

“Shall we go to the reception desk to get tickets? Did anyone contact Kazuya?” (Hiroto)

“I contacted him earlier. He wrote back asking me to call him when we arrived.” (Yoichiro)

Yoichiro works fast, doesn’t he? I had already called Ko-chan to let him know I had arrived as well. I was told to wait at the main gate until Kazuya arrived.

“Hey! I heard there’s a cute girl serving customers at the coffee shop!”

TLN: I think we all know who it is…

“It seems that way! I’m going to go check it out!

“If there’s an opportunity, let’s talk to her!”

Takuma and the others heard the comments around us and said they wanted to go too. Yoichiro… please take care of the three of them while I’m gone.

While I was hoping that they wouldn’t cause trouble, I opened my phone to see a message from Ko-chan.

“Okumura, are you serious? You must be joking.”

“Morishita, I’m serious. I decided to tell you today.”

“Well, all I can say is, good luck.”

While I was checking the message from Ko-chan, I heard Kazuya’s voice.

“Sorry, I made you wait. I’ll show you around now, follow me.” (Kazuya)

“Kazuya, don’t worry about it. Wait… you are…Okumura? Are you Tatsuya Okumura?” (Hiroto)

I didn’t know Okumura attended Toko High.

“Really? I thought I told you.” (Kazuya)

“Yoshizumi, long time no see. Is your leg alright now?” (Okumura)

Tatsuya Okumura. When I was in Middle school, we won the finals of the senior national tournament, but this guy was on the opposing team… he was the guy who was pitching for the fourth inning.

The one point they got… was when Okumura hit a home run. We won the game, but I think Okumura beat me…

“Okumura, long time no see. I’m still in rehabilitation, but things are going well.” (Hiroto)

“I’m glad to hear that. I’m looking forward to playing against Yoshizumi again.” (Okumura)

Toko High… they aren’t an easy opponent after all. It was good to know what Okumura now plays for them.

“Kazuya, hurry up and show us the way.”

“Let’s hurry! I want to see the cute girl that everyone was talking about!”

“We can talk about it after we’ve had a chance to relax, so let’s go.”

I have to tell Kazuya about the message that Ko-chan sent me.

“Saito-san contacted me and asked me to have Kazuya guide me. As long as you tell me where it is, I’ll head to the clubroom by myself. So don’t worry about me.” (Hiroto)

After receiving the location from Kazuya, I headed to the room of the baseball club.

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TLN: I’ve recently picked up a new Light Novel, so I’ll be working on that for a bit. Don’t worry! I’ll still be updating this novel. However… check it out! (It’s pretty cute)